PDF Champions in Action

Golfing for a Cure

On June 20, more than 120 people gathered for the 6th Annual Pillinger Miller Tarallo, LLP, (PMT) Golf Outing at New York Country Club, in New Hempstead, NY, raising more than $10,000 for Parkinson’s research.

Guests enjoyed 18 holes of golf. Organizers Debra Castiglione and Jeff Miller left no stone unturned in their planning. Fundraising efforts included tee sponsorship (all 18 sold), raffles, a 50/50 and silent auction. Football player Sean Landeta of the New York Giants was on hand to lend support. The club donated its course for a day, while the firm covered several costs, so all monies raised could support research.

Two months later, on August 10, 100 golfers gathered at the Farms Country Club in Wallingford, CT, for the Fifth Annual Zwick Pro-Am, raising a gross total of $60,000. Guests included the friends and family of Lenny Zwick, who lived with Parkinson’s for 25 years and was an avid golfer and club member. The Pro-Am featured 18 holes, a luncheon, a silent auction and an awards dinner.

Mr. Zwick’s wife Susan, daughter Stacey, event organizer Dave Melillo, and golf pro Jim Hanlon thanked the dedicated supporters who return year in and year out to remember Lenny and find a cure for Parkinson’s. Mrs. Zwick said, “I can still remember how [Lenny’s] face lit up when we brought him through that door for the first Pro-Am. Five years later, I cannot thank you enough for your continued support.”

Philadelphia Resident Climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro for Parkinson’s

In late June, Philadelphia, PA, resident Rachel Isenberg climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, in northeastern Tanzania — the highest mountain in Africa — to benefit the research programs of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) with more than $3,500.

Rachel Isenberg, Douglas Briller

An instructor in English as a Second Language and a tennis professional, Ms. Isenberg first raised funds for PDF’s programs in 2010 by running a half marathon in Philadelphia. This year, joined by a college friend, she completed her climb over five days. The pair traveled through rainforest and tundra and climbed through the night. Ms. Isenberg received donations from friends and family to her personal webpage on www.pdf.org, all of which will support PDF’s programs.

She said, “My grandfather had Parkinson’s late in his life and my mother currently struggles with it, so the fight against Parkinson’s is close to my heart. I’m grateful for the funds I was able to raise for PDF with the support of my dear family and friends.”